Relationship With Jesus

Christians are called to a lifetime of transformation.  Jesus gave us very broad precepts in the two great commandments and in the new commandment given at the Last Supper; but He also gave us specific applications so that we could apply them to our lives.  It is all a matter of perspective.  Though a Christian may start out trying to avoid hell; it should become more about building on grace; which is the application of the love and mercy of the LORD.  Sin separates us from the LORD.  If we go against our faith; that is against what we believe is true in Christ, we separate ourselves from Jesus.  Our spiritual goal is to walk more closely with the LORD and actually become one with the LORD and to share His character which is Holy and Righteous.

Romans 14:23 KJV … for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

James 4:17 ESV So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

Romans 6:16 ESV )  Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Our PERSONALITY identifies who we are, our likes and dislikes as well as how we are distinguished from one another; it is our own blueprint and it defines our individual uniqueness.  Our CHARACTER identifies our moral excellence and firmness or lack thereof; we can strive for a moral excellence that is righteousness in Jesus Christ.  We can share His character and emulate His values and standards and still remain the same personality.  This was and is God’s plan.  The Lord of Creation loves variety and so we see among people, as many different personalities as there are different types of flowers among plants.  We are to be striving to build the character of Jesus and to live in oneness and unity with the LORD.  Our personality differences should define us and never divide us.  The unity we share in the LORD is eternal; it is His character. 

There are two things that we will take into eternity:  our PERSONALITY and our CHARACTER.  Both are developed through the experiences of life; both we have control over and both will last for eternity.  Everything else we will leave behind; but who we are and the character that we have developed, we will take with us at death.

Yesterday, we discussed the Ten Commandments of the Church.  It is through the Church that we are nurtured in the Character of Christ and have the opportunity to develop our personality through fellowship.  Time spent in Church and the activities and mission of the Church builds equity in the Kingdom of God.  

Through embracing and living a life surrendered to Jesus, we are tapped into all of the resources of the universe.  If we seek Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God first and above all; we will ultimately have all things given to us.  We will inherit all things.

Matthew 6:33 KJV But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If we are obedient to sin, we become a slave unto death; but if we are obedient to Christ, we will be led in righteousness and eternal life with Him.

When we invest our time in Jesus Christ building a personal one on one relationship, we are building for the Kingdom of God and for all eternity.  We are securing a crown of life, a crown of leadership and we ensure an inheritance of ALL things in a kingdom with no end!